Commencement Speaker

There has been much tsk-tsking this college graduation season about students protesting their administration-chosen commencement speakers ( "College: where kids become leftists," May 25). The finger-waggers seem to take one of two positions: Either we weren't rude like that in my day or lefty faculty have corrupted the values we parents tried to give our children and have done away with free speech. (Set aside for the moment the question of how effective 18 years of parental influence must have been if it can be wiped out by a couple of hours a week with faculty members over four years.)

My husband the sportswriter isn't a commencement speaker, but he should be. He has lots of advice that he is willing to share with complete strangers, and he doesn't charge anything for it. Recently, a friend shared the happy news that his son had graduated law school and hoped to become a sports agent because he loved sports. "Tell him this," my husband responded. "Go into the kind of law where you can make a lot of money, and then buy season tickets. " Turn your avocation into your vocation, he was saying, and it might not be fun anymore because it will be a job. It is graduation season and plenty of commencement speakers are telling the grads to do what they love.

John Hopkins professor Jon Lorsch will replace neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson as commencement speaker at the institution's School of Medicine. Lorsch will become director of the National Institute of General Medical Sciences this summer. He has spent the last 12 years studying how cells make proteins, a process that can help look at why people get cancer. Carson voluntarily stepped down this month as commencement speaker for Hopkins School of Medicine and School of Education after making controversial comments about same-sex marriage.

There has been much tsk-tsking this college graduation season about students protesting their administration-chosen commencement speakers ( "College: where kids become leftists," May 25). The finger-waggers seem to take one of two positions: Either we weren't rude like that in my day or lefty faculty have corrupted the values we parents tried to give our children and have done away with free speech. (Set aside for the moment the question of how effective 18 years of parental influence must have been if it can be wiped out by a couple of hours a week with faculty members over four years.)

The dean of Johns Hopkins Medicine met with graduating students Monday about their opposition to neurosurgeon Ben Carson as commencement speaker after his controversial remarks about same-sex marriage. A spokeswoman for Hopkins would not say what was discussed between the students and Dr. Paul B. Rothman, calling the meeting private. Spokeswoman Kim Hoppe said that Carson is still scheduled as commencement speaker and said reports saying otherwise were "speculation. " The meeting came three days after Rothman said in a letter to the Hopkins community that Carson's comments about same-sex marriage were "hurtful" and against the culture of the medical institution.

Expectations are high for this year's commencement speakers at Maryland universities - an august crew that includes the Obamas and their team of writers as well as funnyman Bill Cosby and Hollywood director Jason Winer. But to stand out - or simply be remembered - isn't a guarantee, no matter how high the profile of the speaker. "The commencement speaker has to perform. He or she has the responsibility to inspire both students and graduates to make something of their lives" without falling back on cliches, said Steven D. Cohen, managing director of the oral communication program at the University of Maryland.

Kurt L. Schmoke, the former mayor of Baltimore who will take over the presidency of University of Baltimore in July, will address graduates and their families at Anne Arundel Community College's 52nd Commencement at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 22. Schmoke has worked in law, education and public service, most recently as general counsel and interim provost at Howard University. On May 14, the University System Maryland Board of Regents announced Schmoke's appointment as president of University of Baltimore, effective July 1. Schmoke earned an undergraduate degree in history from Yale University.

Faculty and students at the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School preparing to hear Visa CEO Charles W. Scharf speak at their graduation ceremony on Wednesday should be aware of his company's unsavory partnership with the National Rifle Association (NRA). Credit card giant Visa's affiliate program helps organizations market financial products to their members. Purchases made with the NRA Visa Card, however, also fund "legislative action in support of … Second Amendment rights. " In practice, this means Visa is helping to pay for lobbying against common-sense policies like background checks on gun buyers and for dangerous legislation that would force colleges and universities to allow gun on campus against their will.

There has been much tsk-tsking this college graduation season about students protesting their administration-chosen commencement speakers ( "It's speech season on campus - and it's notable for ones not given," May 21). The finger-waggers seem to take one of two positions: 1) We weren't rude like that in our day; or 2) Leftist faculty have corrupted the values we tried to give our children and done away with free speech. Set aside for the moment the question of how effective 18 years of parental influence could have been if it can be wiped out by a couple of hours a week with a college faculty member.

There has been much tsk-tsking this college graduation season about students protesting their administration-chosen commencement speakers ( "It's speech season on campus - and it's notable for ones not given," May 21). The finger-waggers seem to take one of two positions: 1) We weren't rude like that in our day; or 2) Leftist faculty have corrupted the values we tried to give our children and done away with free speech. Set aside for the moment the question of how effective 18 years of parental influence could have been if it can be wiped out by a couple of hours a week with a college faculty member.

Regarding Susan Reimer 's recent column on rejected commencement speakers, what seems hard to understand is why the school committees that choose commencement speakers seem unable to find anyone on their own campuses who might have a modicum of wisdom to impart to graduates ( "It's speech season on campus - and it's notable for ones not given," May 21). That such committees have to shop beyond their college gates to find inspiration seems to indicate either the committees' lack of imagination and rigor or their campuses' complete lack of a stimulating faculty.

It is the season for graduations and graduation speeches, most of which dissolve into the sunshine, remembered by no one, but particularly not the happy graduates. That is changing. The season is now memorable for the speeches that are not given, the speakers having been driven off by student activists. Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice withdrew from her scheduled appearance at Rutgers after students protested her acquiescence to President George W. Bush during the war in Iraq.

Faculty and students at the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School preparing to hear Visa CEO Charles W. Scharf speak at their graduation ceremony on Wednesday should be aware of his company's unsavory partnership with the National Rifle Association (NRA). Credit card giant Visa's affiliate program helps organizations market financial products to their members. Purchases made with the NRA Visa Card, however, also fund "legislative action in support of … Second Amendment rights. " In practice, this means Visa is helping to pay for lobbying against common-sense policies like background checks on gun buyers and for dangerous legislation that would force colleges and universities to allow gun on campus against their will.

Kurt L. Schmoke, the former mayor of Baltimore who will take over the presidency of University of Baltimore in July, will address graduates and their families at Anne Arundel Community College's 52nd Commencement at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 22. Schmoke has worked in law, education and public service, most recently as general counsel and interim provost at Howard University. On May 14, the University System Maryland Board of Regents announced Schmoke's appointment as president of University of Baltimore, effective July 1. Schmoke earned an undergraduate degree in history from Yale University.

Oriole Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. drew a laugh Sunday during his commencement address at the University of Maryland, College Park when he noted his wife, Kelly, graduated from the university, "although she will not allow me to reveal the year. " Dressed in a black robe and glasses, Ripken paused, leaned into the microphone carefully and said in a stage whisper, "1981. " The Comcast Center was packed to the rafters with family, friends and members of the Class of 2013. More than 7,700 students received degrees - although not at the campus-wide ceremony.

Expectations are high for this year's commencement speakers at Maryland universities - an august crew that includes the Obamas and their team of writers as well as funnyman Bill Cosby and Hollywood director Jason Winer. But to stand out - or simply be remembered - isn't a guarantee, no matter how high the profile of the speaker. "The commencement speaker has to perform. He or she has the responsibility to inspire both students and graduates to make something of their lives" without falling back on cliches, said Steven D. Cohen, managing director of the oral communication program at the University of Maryland.

John Hopkins professor Jon Lorsch will replace neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson as commencement speaker at the institution's School of Medicine. Lorsch will become director of the National Institute of General Medical Sciences this summer. He has spent the last 12 years studying how cells make proteins, a process that can help look at why people get cancer. Carson voluntarily stepped down this month as commencement speaker for Hopkins School of Medicine and School of Education after making controversial comments about same-sex marriage.